Lesson Plan
Black Artists: Basquiat
This lesson plan teaches students about Jean-Michel Basquiat and his life as a child. First, students will listen to a story and figure out the main topic and details. Next, students will be asked to think deeply about what it means to be an artist and some of the types of art they like to create. Perfect for first graders and second graders, the lesson Black Artists: Basquiat highlights reading informational texts and building vocabulary.
Grades:
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Learning Objectives
- Students will be able to recall information from experiences to answer a question.
- Students will be able to identify the main idea and details after listening to a story read aloud.
Introduction
(5 minutes)- Gather the students together in a comfortable space.
- Display Basquiat's artwork so all students can see.
- Explain to the students that Basquiat is a famous artist. Instruct students to turn and talk to a partner, explaining what it means to be an artist.
- Allow a few students to share their ideas aloud. Explain to the students that everyone can be an artist and what's so special about creating art is that it allows us to express ourselves in our very own, unique ways.
- Provide some background about Basquiat, elaborating that he was a famous painter during the '80s who had a loose, improvisational method. Elaborate that when we improvise we create something without preparing for it or thinking about what we will create beforehand. Relate this to performers or speakers who improvise instead of prepping before getting on stage.
- Explain to the students that Basquiat began his career in art as a graffiti artist who was struggling with homelessness. He became famous because of his unique art and incredible talent in his very short lifetime.
- Explain to the students that today they will learn about Basquiat's life as a child.